Below is an obituary from Nichols Funeral Home:
WILMINGTON, MA — Barbara (Strangman) Newell, beloved Mother and grandmother (‘Mika’), passed away peacefully at home in Billerica, MA, on Friday, January 24, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Cambridge, MA November 26, 1940 and raised in Somerville before marrying and building a new home in Billerica, MA, where she continued to reside.
Barbara was a voracious reader and lover of books and believed in the magic and needed skill of reading. She volunteered in the Wilmington School district for over 15 years, as an Assistant to the Librarian in both the Shawsheen Elementary and the West Intermediate Schools. She had been awarded the Volunteer of the Year award a few times in her tenure and was very proud that so many of the students called her ‘Mika’ and she could introduce books, books and more books and the wonder-filled world of reading to the children. She was an amateur sleuth, master-filled game player, and long standing Elvis Presley, Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics fan.
Prior to raising a family she worked at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company in Boston, MA.
Barbara was the daughter of the late Warren and Eleanor Strangman, of Gloucester MA and Prince Edward Island; and is survived by one sister Loretta Warnock of South Boston.
Barbara was a cherished and dearly loved and revered Mother and is survived by her Daughters: Eleanor and (Paul) Nevins of Portsmouth, NH; Susane Newell of Billerica, MA, formerly of St Louis, MO; Nancy and (Mark) Bockus of Wilmington, MA; and she was a proud second Mom to Holly and (John) Ballam of Billerica, MA. and Grandchildren: Morgan Nevins of Brooklyn, NY; Nicole Bockus of Wilmington, MA; Travis Nevins of Portsmouth, NH; Brenton Bockus of Los Angeles, CA; Peyton Ballam of Billerica, MA and Greer Ballam of Billerica, MA. Barbara is also survived by nieces Patty and Emma Colburn and nephews Eddie, Billy, Tommy Warnock and Matthew Colburn.
Barbara’s proudest accomplishment being a dedicated Mother and her legacy were her children and grandchildren. She was best known for her kindness, honesty, generosity, wise-counsel and sage advice, her courage, bravery and strength, and always best remembered for her infectious sense of humor, all of which shone through in everything she did and touched everyone she met along her journey. She was dearly loved, respected and valued and she will be infinitely loved and forever missed.
Family and friends are invited to attend her Visitation to be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at the Nichols Funeral Home at 187 Middlesex Ave. in Wilmington, MA from 4pm until 7pm. Barbara’s Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 10:30am at the Church of the Transfiguration (in St Dorothy’s Parish) at 11 Harnden Street in Wilmington, MA; followed immediately (at approximately 11:30am) by Barbara/Mika’s Celebration of Life Luncheon at Tremezzo’s Ristorante at 2 Lowell Street in Wilmington, MA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may also be made in Barbara/ Mika’s name and memory to the St Jude Children’s Research Hospital or her love of saving the Alley Cat Allies association.
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